BYOB - Bring your own bottle
It's not enough to hydrate pre- and post-run.
Regardless of the distance you're running, you need to consume water when you're on the move, especially in warm weather. But sometimes it's hard to remember to grab a reusable bottle when 'less green' alternatives such as plastic bottles and paper cups are available at your fingertips.
It's the 'water carrier conundrum' and a source of disconnect between runners and the great outdoors. Total E&P Canada (Total), the official Sustainability Sponsor of the Calgary Marathon, is asking participants to help make Canada's oldest race a greener event. One small commitment that will make a collective difference is to BYOB on race day. Plastic bottles and paper cups contribute to race waste. In 2011 The SCM donated leftover clothing to the Canadian Diabetes Association and food to local charities. This year Total and the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon are taking it one step further by partnering to add paper cups and plastic bottles to the list of recyclables. Do your part: BYOB!
As you gear up for lengthy spring training runs and the sun stays out longer, hydrating becomes increasingly important. The first step is to start by testing water-carriers to find out what works best for you. Make like a camel and carry it on your back, try a hydration hip belt, go hands-free with the over-the-shoulder bite-and-suck valve, or throw on a hand-strap water bottle. There will be water stations strategically-placed along the new route but you may find BYOB actually boosts your running performance in addition to being environmentally friendly. Having on-demand water could help you get that elusive PB by regulating your fluids and helping you bypass traffic jams at water stations.
